The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-10-04

location of the farm house was Known to two Of the
men who accompanied me. We were feTr.el across
the Potomac one evening at dusk Just where the long
highway bridge had been burned, and then we had
walk Of about eleven mile 10 make.
Although "Bly Bowlegs' was a fearless man and
a handy shot, We didn't figure that it would g d
hye men t. capture him. The county between the
river and Uniontown was then oyerrun with bush
whackers and guerrilIes, and we anticipated more
orl trouble with them.
The scout had been twice captured by the feder-
ais and he was described to of slender build,
medium hight, fair complexion and dark eyes.
Enough was known about his nerve to know that
he would not be taken alive if he had any show 70
fight, and therefore as we approached the house
ebout midnight from across a field we were anxious
ly wondering how we should get at him. II we
knocked at the door he would be alarmed and
have time to ann himself If we broke It in we
might and probably should find him In bed 1t was
still, clear night rather cold, and we hung about
for half an hour before adopting a plan. Then we
decided to break in the dojrs. Two of us went to
the front and two to the back door, while the fifth
man stood ready to receive the scout in case he
dropped from a second-story window supposed to be
in his bedroom. We crept softly up and at a signal
both doors were burst -. No, they weren'tl
Neither Of them gave an inch under the pressure,
and in response to the efforts we made wonan's
voice called ont:
'Who is II, and what's wantedg'
'Open the door, or we II break ii down.
'Wait one ninutep'
She struck light and we heard her moving
about, and in a couple of minutes the front door
was opened and gray haired woman of forty-fve
stood there, with candle In her hand.
Union solde.s, eli? Come right i'm she said,
smiling as if glad to see us.
posted three of the men around the house and
entered with the other, and as soon as Sas inside
] said:
Madam we have come for your son. We know
he is here. We shall take him dead or alive"
"0h, you have come for Billy, have you" OK
claimed girl abont IL years of nge, who came run
ming down stairs at that moment. Excuse me-
gentlemen, for not being fully dressed, but you see
you didn't send US any word"
She laughed in merry way, while the mother
smiled good naturally. She had ON neat fitting
calico dress ribbon at her throat and except that
her hair looked tumbled she looked as web pre-
pared as if she expected our coming.
eyes, Jennie, they want Billy" said the mother
as she placed the candle on a stand
"And we are bound to take him, dead or alive p
added in loud voice, suspecting the scout was
within hearing.
"Oh, how sorry - laughed the girl of brother
Billy ha1 only known you were coming But he
didn't, you Sec and so he went away at dark. He'll
never iorgiye himself-never !"
ave must search the house." ] said
"Ob certainly. Nanny, you light another can
die and I'll show the gentlemen around. Perhaps
the sight of Billy's old clothes viii do EN- good"
Well, sir we hunted that house fronattc to cellar
and all we found was an old suit OF Billy clothes
The scout had skipped and the best could do was
10 apologize TO mother and daughter, accept mid
night luncheon at the hands of the latter and take
he back track for the river. Ill own up, too was
dead gone" on Jennie before left and that said
TO her, as J squeezed her hand at parting:
'When the war is over I'm coming to ask you to
be my wife"
''And-and- III say-say ye-s?" she whispered in
my ear
We got back 10 the ferry soon after daylight and
Il ere meta union farmer living neighbor to the
widow. When he hegrl what we had been up to
he asked:
'Was the wider alonea
mo Ter daughter Jennie was there"
"D0uehter Jenniel Describe her."
GOOD looking girl of medium eight, black eyes
and hair, aniG sweet talker. I'm going back to
marry her after the war is over"
Pet you fam you don't! I'll a, ar gal Jennie
nobody else hut that ar scout, Billy Bowlegs!
lie jist jumped into some of his mammys clothes,
and you pig heads couldn't see through it'
He was right Imet Billy in Harpsr's Ferry after
the war and @ wanted to know i'll had taken out
the marriage license yes.
Tf Won had taken two of Carriers I ittIc I w.